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Kirk leader ‘terrified’ of vote on gay ministers

Rev Scott Rennie is the only openly gay minister in Scotland (James Glossop)

THE Church of Scotland’s new moderator has admitted she is “terrified” about chairing this week’s general assembly debate on whether the Kirk should permit the ordination of gay ministers.

Internal divisions could lead to up to 50 congregations leaving the church, with opponents claiming the move would be contrary to the Bible’s teachings.

“I’m terrified,” Rev Lorna Hood told The Sunday Times. “Fear and excitement vie for first place in my mind all the time. But the amount of support — cards, letters and congregations offering to pray for me — has been absolutely overwhelming. I have to rest on that and be carried by that. So I just think: come on, get on with it.”

The church is preparing to use trained mediators in its attempts to persuade disaffected ministers and church members not to walk away after the matter is voted on. So far two congregations — the St George’s Tron